Battle of Asculum (271)

The Battle of Asculum occurred in 271 AD during the Crisis of the Third Century. Legio II Concordialis, which was loyal to Emperor Quintillus, was sent to retake the city of Asculum from Legio III Illyrica, which was loyal to Aurelian, and Legio III Illyrica defended the city with heavy losses, including their commander, Cecropius.

Background
In early 271 AD, the imperial claimant Aurelian launched a multi-pronged invasion of Italy. While Aurelian advanced on Rome from northern Italy, Legio II Africana invaded Sicily, and Legio V Graeca invaded southern Italy at Brundisium, Cecropius' Legio III Illyrica landed at Asculum. The city fell after a quick assault, and the legion replenished its ranks. With Italia falling under attack from multiple directions, Quintillus desperately sought to counterattack. He decided to send Marcus Flavinius Bucco and Legio II Concordialis to recapture Asculum from the forces loyal to Aurelian, intending to prevent them from being reinforced. The larger army and fleet of Quintillus' forces attacked the city at night.

Battle
Legio III Illyrica deployed itself at the end of the city (facing the land), forming a defensive position which blocked any entrance to the city. Cecropius thereby shoehorned Legio II Concordialis into assaulting their forces head-on; its cavalry charged Illyrica's spear infantry, but they were held back and forced to retreat. After Concordialis' cavalry fled, its infantry entered the battle. Cecropius knew that the sheer size of Concordialis would eventually overwhelm his force, so he decided to risk his life by leading his cavalry bodyguards around Concordialis' flank to ride down their archers. Cecropius and his horsemen succeeded in routing most of the archers and in charging the rear of the legion's infantry, but they frequently had to flee from Bucco's bodyguards. Eventually, Cecropius and his bodyguards found themselves surrounded by the enemy, and all but one of them - including Cecropius - were slain. However, Illyrica's infantry galliantly fought on, eventually encircling and eradicating Concordialis' troops. Just then, Marcus Julius Buteo, the commander of Quintillus' fleet, landed in Asculum itself. Illyrica mustered its strength and charged into the fray one last time, defeating Buteo's force.

Aftermath
The battle at Asculum was a pyrrhic victory for Aurelian's forces, who lost their general and over half of their number, but successfully held Asculum against enemy assault. Soon after, Aurelian's legions would conquer the rest of Italia and bring order to the central third of the Roman Empire.